By a 60 - 16 percent margin, New York State voters disapprove of the new state budget enacted
by the State Legislature last week, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. It
was "business as usual in Albany," as Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders did not show
the political courage to make tough decisions, voters say 65 - 26 percent.

Voters disapprove 70 - 22 percent of decision to eliminate property tax rebates from the
state budget, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Disapproval
is consistent across the political spectrum and in every area of the state. The disapproval drops to
61 - 32 percent among upper income voters for whom the rebate is a smaller portion of income.

Spending increases in the state budget are needed to stimulate the economy, 39 percent of
voters say, but 49 percent say the spending is "wasteful." Democrats say 55 - 32 percent the
spending is needed, but "wasteful" is the verdict of Republicans 69 - 22 percent, and
independent voters 54 - 34 percent.

"The brand new New York State budget gets panned. Nobody likes it, Republicans least
of all. 'Necessary' or 'wasteful,' we asked of the budget. 'Wasteful' leads," said Maurice
Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Speaker Sheldon Silver emerged from the budget fuss as the most powerful pol in
Albany, as powerful as any speaker has ever been, yet a big percentage of voters don't know him
well enough to decide if he's good or bad at his job. They better learn."

New York State voters approve 64 - 32 percent the decision to raise state income tax rates
on families making more than $300,000 per year. Approval is 81 - 16 percent among Democrats
and 58 - 40 percent among independent voters, while Republicans disapprove 53 - 42 percent.
Voters also disagree 59 - 37 percent with the argument that the tax hike will drive wealthier
people to leave New York.

Voters agree 71 - 23 percent that New York State government is dysfunctional. The
feeling is strong among Democrats, Republicans and independent voters and in every area of the
state. They spread the blame evenly, with 21 percent saying Gov. Paterson is to blame; 25
percent citing Democrats in the State Legislature and 21 percent pointing to Republicans in the
legislature.

Albany's budget-making practice of "three men in a room" making all the decisions
continues, voters say 51 - 26 percent.

"Overall, voters agree with the 'dysfunctional' label for Albany. They spread the blame
among the Governor and the legislators of both parties," Carroll said.

Gay Marriage

Given three choices, 41 percent of New York State voters say gay couples should be
allowed to marry legally, while 33 percent say they should be allowed to form civil unions, but
not marry and 19 percent say there should be no legal recognition of a gay union.

Among Republicans, 26 percent support gay marriage, with 36 percent for civil unions
and 28 percent for no recognition.

"The word among politicians is that gay marriage might pass this year. Voters split three
ways, as they have for some time. Divided three ways, the gay marriage option tops the list. But
if it's yes or no, where do those backers of civil unions line up?" Carroll asked.

From April 1- 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,528 New York State registered voters,
with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

21. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York
State today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied,
or very dissatisfied?

37. What comes closer to your point of view - The new state budget's spending
increases are needed to stimulate the economy during this economic downturn
or The new state budget's spending increases are wasteful?

38. Historically, the Governor, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Assembly
Speaker have made all the big decisions at the state Capitol in Albany with
not much input from state legislators. Do you think that "Albany's three men
in a room" decision-making is continuing or do you think that other
legislators are more involved since Governor Paterson took office?

TREND: Historically, the Governor, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Assembly
Speaker have made all the big decisions at the state Capitol in Albany with not
much input from state legislators. Do you think that Albany's 'three men in a
room' decision-making is continuing or do you think that other legislators are
more involved since Governor Paterson took office? (*Spitzer)

42. Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should
be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be
allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

TREND: Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should
be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed
to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?